Lighting

dewzer

I am adding two 12v lights to one of our 36v carts.
They will be on for about a half hour to 45 min each morning.
Would it be wiser to put in a 36v to 12 v converter rather than just pull off two batteries? What do you guys think?
Thanks. Steve

BGW

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JohnnieB

In general terms, it is always better to use a 12V converter or a separate 12V battery to run 12V accessories.

The battery pack is charged in series and most chargers shut off when the average On-Charge voltage reaches a predetermined voltage, so if some the the batteries are more discharged than the others, they will be undercharged while the others are overcharged. The net result is the entire pack will have to be replaced sooner than it would have been had the pack remained balanced.

Just powering a GPS or recharging a cell phone won't hurt the pack much, but running a pair of headlights with incandescent bulbs for half an hour a day will.

yurtle

As some have mentioned in another recent post, depending on the lights, you can buy 36 volt bulbs, and safely run them off the whole pack.

dewzer

Thanks for the replies. What brand or type of converter would you recommend? I would prefer to stay simple and inexpensive as the lights are all it will ever run and that will be about a month out of a year. As it gets darker earlier, the crew starts later, but to make hay whilst the sun don't shine is right up there alley so they can get out of work earlier each day .

Jerj7907

EBAY Anything over 10 amps will work for 2 lights, should work. 15-20 amps will be more than enough power. I know site sponsors are nice but Ebay is cheaper.

yurtle

If you go with 36 volt bulbs, you won't need a converter/reducer.

dewzer

I had purchased two sets of "truck-lite" kits at Napa, one for our Sidewinder and one set for the cart. Once I had them in hand is when I changed my mind about tapping into just two batteries.
So I called to get the 36v bulbs for this style of light and they told me I could not put the 36v bulb in this lights body. So I called the company and thy told me I could put any bulb up to 48v in this body. I had a heck of a time locating 36v bulbs in Alpena so I got on-line and ordered 3. Two for the lights and one spare. FedEx delivery is scheduled for today.
Thanks for the input. I think I made the right move by stepping up to the 36v bulb.
So for less than $100 I can light up the driving range Teeing area for early morning clean ups, cutting cups or whatever needs to be done.
Thanks again.
Steve